School of Public Theology

In this year-long programme, students will not only learn about, but learn how to engage theologically with a range of pressing questions in our society. Each module introduces students to not only crucial issues that shape the world today, but conceptual tools and resources for understanding and analysing society – tools that they will go on to use to compose a series of short (2000 word) reflective essays that engage theologically with those issues themselves. These will eventually be published on the LJC website in the form of an online journal.

‍

How does this course work? 

This course comprises six taught modules (the ‘5 week courses’ that make up the majority of the LJC’s teaching), four research-based study days, and three pieces of written work composed with the support of course tutors.

‍

‍

Modules

Modules will run Mondays, 18.30-19.30 during term time at the LJC

Term 1:

Spirit and Society (23^rd, 30^thSept; 7^th, 14^th, 21^st Oct 2024)

This module introduces students to five key concepts from sociology and critical theory that illumine what it means to exist in a society. It connects these concepts to spiritual life, bridging the sociological and the theological, enabling students not only to understand society, but their spiritual life within it, and the spiritual significance of society itself.

Catholic Social Teaching (4^th, 11^th,18^th, 25^th Nov; 2^nd Dec 2024)

This module introduces students to key concepts and principles within the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Students will see how CST emerged within its historical context to engage with the realities of the world, and will reflect critically on the challenges of doing so.

‍

Term2:

Laudato si’: Politics, Theology and Beyond (20^th,27^th Jan; 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th Feb 2025)

This module introduces students to Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environmental crisis, Laudato si’. We will see how it draws on climate science, politics, philosophy and theology to present a challenge to the world, and reflect critically on what it would mean to realise its vision.

Key Issues in Liberation Theology (3^rd, 10^th,17^th, 24^th, 31^st March 2025)

This module introduces students to Liberation Theology: a diverse tradition of thought that explores what it means for Christ to bring liberation from sin as manifest in the injustices of the world. Students will reflect on how liberation theologians have responded to a range of key issues facing our society, and ask where and how Christ is present in the liberation struggles of today.

‍

Term 3:

The Social History of Catholicism in Britain (5^th[DB1] ,12^th, 19^th, 26^th May; 2^nd June 2025)

This archives-based module explores the tumultuous history of Catholicism in Britain. Based on historical objects and documents from the archives of the Jesuits in Britain, students will learn how Catholicism occupy the place it does in British society today, while also acquiring archival research skills.

Catholicism and the Culture Wars (16^th, 23^rd, 30^thJune; 7^th, 14^th July 2025)

Our society is riven by numerous polarising conflicts around culture and politics. This module explores the role of the Church in these, beginning with the Catholic reaction against secularism at the end of the 19^th Century, through to the ecumenism of the religious right, and contemporary worries about feminism and ‘gender ideology’.

‍

Written work

During each holiday, students will be invited to write a short essay (2000 words) on any topic from either of the two modules they will have studied during term-time. They will be able to use the Heythrop Library as a resource when doing so.

Each student will also have the opportunity to send a draft of their essay to a tutor on the course for in-depth feedback, which can be delivered either via email or in a one-to-one tutorial format.

‍

‍

Study Days

Each term, students will participate in study days aimed at developing research skills and sharing their work with others in their cohort.

Study days will run 10.00-16.00 at the LJC

1.      Introduction to the course (21^stSept 2024)[DB2] 

In this study day, students will be introduced to the course, as well as taught key skills for identifying a research question and structuring an argument that answers it.

2.      How to use a library(18^th Jan 2025)

In this study day, students will learn how to use an academic library to find specific information relevant to a research question.

Students will also share their research from the previous term in a symposium format.

3.      Writing for different audiences(3^rd May 2025)

In this study day, students will learn to present information for different audiences: academic, semi-academic, and popular.

Students will also share their research from the previous term in a symposium format.

‍

‍

4.      Celebration of the course (16^thAug)[DB3] 

In this final study day, students will gather to celebrate their achievements in the course, including a final symposium of the last term’s work.

 [DB1]Bank holiday - do we want to move this to the 6th?

 [DB2]I’ve chosen the Saturdays before term starts. Do these work?

 [DB3]This is 4 weeks after the term ends. Students could have up to the 27^th(2 weeks from end of term, basically) to get a first draft in, then feedback soon after, feedback by the 3^rd, and final versions in by the 10^th, giving us a week to get the online journal together

‍